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Jesus (and Music)

And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
Matthew 26:30

And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
Mark 14:26

In this column I want us to think of Jesus and music or singing.

To the church member today it must be shocking that there is only this one reference in the life of Jesus to music or singing. This is spoken of in Matthew and Mark concerning the same event; that of Jesus giving the Bread and the Wine for us to remember His Body and Blood.

Jesus and the disciples sang a song. I wonder which of the Psalms it was. But that record is not given.

Now it must not have been the only time they sang but it is the only mention of it in the scriptures.

The modern church just could not function without music and singing! Almost every meeting has a warm-up with music. We are almost incapable of having a meeting with no music.

Jesus is our model.

Did the 12 disciples form a music group that set the mood of Jesus to speak or preach?

Were the 12 humming in the background as Jesus called people to follow Him?

Could it be that the women that followed Jesus was a music group!

Or is it true that Jesus had no music warm-up before He spoke. What about John the Baptist or Peter on the Day of Pentecost, did they have singers setting the mood before the sermon?

I am simply asking a question. Where in the record of Jesus do we have anything like the way we conduct meeting today?

Where in the New Testament do we have any model of music and singing that is anything like the way we have church services today?

Did music and singing have the same place in the meetings and gathering in Jesus time and in the early church that it has in our meetings today?

Should you find this please e-mail it to me and I will include it in next weeks column.

Have we become overly dependent on music? Is it necessary?

Why has music become so important?

I have carried a cross around the world and walked the roads of the world. Only a few times have I ever had anyone singing. The crowds listen and respond great. Yet when I go to a church along the way there is often an hour or so of music before there is any preaching. For me I notice no difference in response whether there is music or not.

Should you go to church and the minister spoke first, then called people to decisions for Jesus and then sang at the end. Would that be OK with you? Or must the music be first. Why?

Ha, I am giving you a column where you give your own answers with Matthew, Mark, Luke and John as you text and then the New Testament.

Now, don’t think music is not important to me. I sing in the shower and on throughout the day. I love songs about Jesus and worship and praise to God.

But I am going through the life of Jesus in these columns and in this one about Jesus and music I am raising questions because the Gospels are silent about music and singing in relationship with Jesus except for the one occasion listed above.

As for me I am singing a song as I write this! Glory.

Let us worship and praise the Lord.

Should you not ‘know’ Jesus then pray and receive Jesus as your Savior and Lord and commit your life to follow Jesus. Then burst forth in singing! Glory.

Pilgrim followers of Jesus,

Arthur and Denise Blessitt

Luke 18:1